Copacabana placed in a strong field on this track on August 8 is well placed in the 1400 metre Team Thoroughbred NSW Maiden Plate at Newcastle on Thursday. The 4 year old was placed at Warwick Farm, Bendigo and Sandown in his first three starts before a failure in the Caulfield Guineas in October. After two trials in July the gelding caught the eye when coming from last after a slow start to finish third behind two promising gallopers Bauhina and Māori Chief in a 1250 metre Maiden on this track on August 8. He will be fitter second up and will appreciate the longer trip. Reece Jones retains the mount after being in the saddle first up for the Hawkes family.
Wyong trained Fioprospero will appreciate a return to his favourite track when he steps out in the 1200 metre Sharp Office Benchmark 64 Handicap. In form Newcastle apprentice Ben Osmond will claim 3 kilograms at his first ride on the son of Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente. During his twelve start career Fioprospero had had two wins and four placings all at Newcastle. He has no speed but is a strong stayer and he will relish the tough 2200 meters. Last start at Hawkesbury he found the 1800 metres too short when coming from second last to finish fourth.
The Kim Waugh trained Northern Eyes is chasing a hat trick of wins when he contends the 1500 metre NJC Supports Equimillion 2024 Benchmark 68 Handicap. The 4 year olds’ two recent victorys have been at Hawkesbury over 1300 metres on soft tracks. Jay Ford continues his successful association with Northen Eyes which had been runner up in his only two 1500 metre events.
Capitalist filly Spirit Of Wealth makes her debut in the 1200 metre Allied The Careful Movers Super Maiden Handicap after two impressive Randwick trial wins during August. The 3 year old has been ridden in both trials by race jockey Tommy Berry and she is very quick. She led all the way, hard held on a heavy track in the most recent trial on August 19. The winning margin was 3.19 lengths. Spirit Of Wealth was never off the bit two trials back on August 5. Ti Amo Tanto is an interesting runner in this race as the Fastnet Rock filly is on debut from the Waller stable and James McDonald has been listed as the rider.
Kerrin McEvoy will make the trip to Newcastle where one of his better mounts is the O’Shea -Charlton trained Snow In May. The 3 year old filly a daughter of The Autum Sun is an acceptor in two races, the 1200 metre Davali Thoroughbreds Class 1 Handicap and the 1250 metre Dailey Family Funerals Benchmark 64 Handicap. Snow In Mays’ only start was in a 2 year old race at the Wagga Cup Carnival on May 2 when she won easily. She will be hard to beat in whichever race the filly goes around in.
Unwritten, runner up in his past two starts is nicely weighted in the 1250 metre The Prince Of Merewether Benchmark 64 Handicap. Allocated 60.5 kilograms trainer Greg Hickman has booked apprentice Braith Nock who claims 3 kilograms. The 6 year old has produced eye catching performances at Newcastle and Hawkesbury recently when powering home from way back. Nock rode two winners at Newcastle last Saturday.